Trajectory

Trajectory is the height of the flight one's golf ball. Many shots in golf require a lower trajectory like hitting into the wind or punching under a tree. Many shots require hitting a ball higher as well. Shots that require height are shots such as a flop shot over a bunker and hitting over a tree or other obstacles. Alterations in club selection, ball position and weight distribution can all help a player vary the trajectory of their golf ball.

Trajectory Lessons

Ball PositionLearn how to properly position the ball in your golf stance for all clubs

Trajectory Tips

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Lean Left to Hit Down
Make sure to lean onto your front foot when you are hitting greenside chip shots. It is important to have your center of gravity, your head and your sternum in front of the ball to help you hit down on the ball and keep the trajectory low. If you lean back or fall back through the strike the ball will roll up the clubface and you will scoop it. Leaning back can also cause you to hit the ball fat or skull it across the green.

Make sure to lean onto your front foot when you are hitting greenside chip shots. It is important to have your center of gravity, your head and your sternum in front of the ball to help you hit down on the ball and keep the trajectory low. If you lean back or fall back through the strike the ball will roll up the clubface and you will scoop it. Leaning back can also cause you to hit the ball fat or skull it across the green.

Keep the Ball as Low as Possible For Bump & Runs
Practice keeping the ball as low as possible with the bump and run. Keeping the ball low keeps the ball out of the wind and will help to get the ball down and on the green as soon as possible. This way you can use the green to help funnel the ball towards the hole. To hit a shot low, you also delay your release so working on keeping the trajectory down is beneficial to those who have a tendency to flip.

Practice keeping the ball as low as possible with the bump and run. Keeping the ball low keeps the ball out of the wind and will help to get the ball down and on the green as soon as possible. This way you can use the green to help funnel the ball towards the hole. To hit a shot low, you also delay your release so working on keeping the trajectory down is beneficial to those who have a tendency to flip.

Stay Forward to Hit it Low
To hit a shot low and bring your trajectory down you must keep your sternum over or in front of the ball. When your sternum and center of gravity get back behind the ball you will shoot the ball up. To keep it down you must feel like you stay over or in front of the ball. This will help you trap the ball and de loft the face. Keep your head and sternum moving forward towards the target consistently throughout the swing. Playing the ball back in your stance will help you keep your trajectory down as well.

To hit a shot low and bring your trajectory down you must keep your sternum over or in front of the ball. When your sternum and center of gravity get back behind the ball you will shoot the ball up. To keep it down you must feel like you stay over or in front of the ball. This will help you trap the ball and de loft the face. Keep your head and sternum moving forward towards the target consistently throughout the swing. Playing the ball back in your stance will help you keep your trajectory down as well.

Play it Left For Loft
To hit the ball higher move it forward in your stance. This way you will catch the ball more on the up arc with a face that has more loft. Also, make sure that your head and sternum stay well behind the ball. Getting them in front of the ball will only smother it and knock it out low. When you are behind it, again, you will be able to strike the ball with a more lofted face and a bit on the up swing which will shoot the ball out high.

To hit the ball higher move it forward in your stance. This way you will catch the ball more on the up arc with a face that has more loft. Also, make sure that your head and sternum stay well behind the ball. Getting them in front of the ball will only smother it and knock it out low. When you are behind it, again, you will be able to strike the ball with a more lofted face and a bit on the up swing which will shoot the ball out high.

The Lower the Loft, The More Roll
When you are hitting bump and run shots (greenside chips) you have a lot of options when it comes to choosing a club. You can actually use any club in your bag to hit a bump and run. It just depends on how much carry and roll you need. The lower the loft on the club the more the ball will roll. The more the loft on the club, the more you will get backspin and the less the ball will roll out.

When you are hitting bump and run shots (greenside chips) you have a lot of options when it comes to choosing a club. You can actually use any club in your bag to hit a bump and run. It just depends on how much carry and roll you need. The lower the loft on the club the more the ball will roll. The more the loft on the club, the more you will get backspin and the less the ball will roll out.

Finish Affects Trajectory
Your finish can affect your trajectory. If you are looking to vary the height of your golf ball into the greens, altering your finish position is one easy way to get there. A low finish would produce more of a lower flight as you de loft the face a bit through impact by keeping your hands ahead of the club head. A medium finish (waist high) will allow the club head to catch up enough to add a nice amount of loft on the face and get you a good medium trajectory. A high finish allows you to add even more loft and throw the ball high into the air.

Your finish can affect your trajectory. If you are looking to vary the height of your golf ball into the greens, altering your finish position is one easy way to get there. A low finish would produce more of a lower flight as you de loft the face a bit through impact by keeping your hands ahead of the club head. A medium finish (waist high) will allow the club head to catch up enough to add a nice amount of loft on the face and get you a good medium trajectory. A high finish allows you to add even more loft and throw the ball high into the air.